Sohei

The Sohei were an order of Japanese monks between the 900s and 1500s. Also known as "Warrior Monks", Sohei hailed from Mount Hiei outside of Kyoto and Nara Province, and they were from monastic orders that owned several small temples. The leaders of these orders had large private armies of warrior monks, who were skilled in battle and used the newest technology. Sohei mainly used naginatas in battle, but also used matchlocks, bows, and katanas. Famous warrior monks included Benkei (a companion of Minamoto Yoshitsune) and Kenshin Uesugi (the daimyo of the Uesugi clan).